Reddit Doubling Down On Programmers — Almost Six Years After Launching

Normally, when you hear that a company is doubling their programming team, you’d likely assume it’s some red-hot new startup. But this time, it’s actually a company that’s over five years old. And one that was acquired well over four years ago. Reddit.

By most accounts, the past several years under Conde Nast rule have seen Reddit run very lean â€” probably far too lean. And after an explosion of growth this past year, they’re finally doing something about it. Earlier this week, the service revealed that they had carried out a “dramatic expansion” of hiring by adding four new team members. And today they’re announcing their intention to double the programming team by adding three more there as well.

Specifically, Reddit wants a frontend programmer, a backend programmer, and someone in between. And in typically quirky Reddit fashion, the way to apply is interesting.

Instead of sending in your resume, they’re asking would-be employees to solve one of two problems. The first asks you to clone Reddit. Yep, they want you to build a copy of their service â€” one that works. The second problem asks you to rebuild the backend tool that they use to find gamers of their system.

If you can do either, then you earn the right to send them your resume. Doing it the other way around (the normal way), is like ”trying to pick the best cellphone by comparing the manufacturers’ press releases,” the company says. Good point.

For the rest of the details about the problems as well as more about the jobs, check out Reddit’s blog, it should be up shortly.

So why all the Reddit love from Conde Nast all of a sudden? The aforementioned growth this past year is key, but we also hear it may have something to do with Sarah Chubb, the long-time president of Conde Nast’s digital arm, leaving the company.

There’s at least a dozen “better late than never” jokes in here somewhere.